Former England skipper John Terry has voiced his dismay over Nigeria’s failure to secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that the Super Eagles’ absence will leave a noticeable void in football’s biggest showcase.
According to Terry, a competition of such global stature loses some of its charm and competitive edge without a nation as culturally vibrant and historically impactful as Nigeria in the mix.
Speaking on a virtual panel hosted by SuperSport, Terry emphasised that Nigeria has always brought electrifying players, passionate supporters, and a deep footballing legacy to the world stage.
“Nigeria will be hugely missed. This World Cup is supposed to be a stage for teams that have earned their place, but I would’ve loved to see a top-tier side like Nigeria there.
“They have some fantastic individuals. They’re a great football nation. So for me, they definitely belong in that category.
“I think their absence is a big loss because Nigeria had the potential to go far in the tournament. But unfortunately, one team’s disappointment is another’s opportunity.
“I know Mikel Obi is really upset they’re not going. That means he won’t be doing as much World Cup commentary. That’s why he’s so disappointed.”
The 2026 World Cup kicks off today (Thursday) with co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa in Group A.
Meanwhile, Nigeria suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Portugal in an international friendly, as the Europeans wrapped up their World Cup preparations with back-to-back wins.
Pedro Neto opened the scoring for Portugal before Akor Adams leveled for the Super Eagles.
However, substitute Francisco Conceição restored Portugal’s lead with a curling finish into the far corner, sealing victory for the hosts.
The win sent Portugal into the World Cup on a high note, while Nigeria was left to rue a tight loss despite Adams’ equaliser.
